Spring head-rod for split switches.



. R. E. YOLTO'N. SPRING HEAD ROD FOR SPUT SWITCHES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. H. 1918.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

ROBERT E. Yo T'oN, or BIRMINGHAM, ALARA A; ASSIGNOR T KI-LBY FROG & swrrorr COMPANY, or BIRMINGHAM. ALABAMA, A coRroRArroNor ALABAMA.

SPRING HEAD-Ron r'oR-srLIr swrror-ms.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

Application filed February 11, 1918. Serial 110.216.629.

To all whom it may concern:

Jefierson and State of Alabama, have invented certain. new, and useful Improvements in Spring Head-Rods for Split Switches, of which the following is a speclfication.

My invention relates to an improvementin split switches and has for its object to provide a spring attachment for the head rod of the same which will allow the trains to trail through the switch without damage to any of the parts of the switch. 1

tion is to design a spring head-rod in Which the spring is incased and protected from the 1 deteriorating eiiects of the weather, and which is neat, compact and composed of but few parts which are designed for easy assemblage and for durability in service. My

invention is also adapted for attachment to the head rod'of any split switch.

My invention, further comprises the novel details of construction and arrangements of parts whlch are hereinafter more partlcularly described and pointed out in the claims, and which are illustrated in their preferred embodiments only in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 shows my improved head rod in plan view connected to the switch points. Flg. 2 is a bottom view of the top casting,

V and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bottom casting, which castings together form the spring housing.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectionalview taken on the line 4:4 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

I have illustrated my invention as applied to the switch points 1, 1,' which are assembled with the track rails 2, 2, and are connected to the ordinary switch head rod' 3.

This head rod, as illustrated, carries at each end a forging 4 which is bolted to the web 5' of the adjacent switch'point and which has a hold-down extension 6 which works underthe adjacent track rail 2 "andunder 'the switch rail Any other well known 1 in the spring attachment for connecting the plane or the. casting. A transverse hole 16 .,is drilled 0r otherwise provided in each lug j The casting forming the bottom member 17 of the spring holder is shown in Fig. v3, and comprisesv a side flange 18 which is connected by bolts or rivets 19 to the center of -the head, rod 3. This casting has a semi cylindrical recess 20 corresponding in size and shape to the recess 12in the top member 11 and has semi-circular ends 21 which are shorter than the'ends 13 and each provided with a beveled end edge 22 having a corresponding slope and length to the inner beveled edge 23. of the adjacent lug 15. A bottom segniental projection 24 at each end of the member 1-7 is shaped to fit under a lug I 15 andfto complement the same so that they jointly form a circle.

At each end of the recess 20 the casting 17 has a segmental spring centering lug 25v and in the bottom ofthis recess 1 provide drain holes 26. The

recessed portion of the casting 17 is reinforced by external ribs 27 which'extend to and form shoulders which abut against the head rod 3. A coil spring 29 is adapted to be received in the circular chamber or housing formed by the recesses 12 and 20 in the two castings 11 and 17 and it is centered therein by the lugs 25. The pipe sleeves 30 receive the adjacent ends of the portions 13 and 21 and are secured in place by bolts 31 passing through the-holes 16 in the lugs 15. The length of the sleeves is suiiicient to engage and guide the adjacent shorter member 21 throughout its movements.

.To ass'emblea spring head rod using my invention, three holes} a-re drilled 1 near the center'of an ordinary head rod 3 to match "theholes28' in the flange 18 of the holder member 17 and this member isthenfbolted "type of split switch head rod may be-emp P v U ployed -as my i-nventionconsists'. essentially whi'c'h preferably should be"tl1ree-f0urths r riveted to thero'd 3.""'"A:o oil "spring 29,

' it the spring holder 17 which would .slide of an inch longer than the recess 20 is compressed and inserted into the said recess 20 in which it is permitted to expand and engage the lugs 25. The top casting or holder member 11 is then placed over the member 17 with the top half of the spring entering the recess 12 therein. The pipe sleeve/s30 are then slipped over the ends of the holder members 11 and 17 and bolted in place by the bolts 31. It will be noted that in normal position the ends 21 of the bottom holder member are each sufficiently shorter than the corresponding end 13 of the upper holder member to allow an endwise play, beforethe engagement of the faces 22 and 23, equal to the play required by the head 1 rod to permit the train to trail through the switch without damage to any of the parts of the switch.

In operation, with the switch points standing as shown in Fig. 1, should'a train 7 trail through the switch the head rod 3 would be shifted to the Ileftycarrying with under the top member 17 to the left in the sleeve 30 and compress the spring 29,, which would serve to 'returnvthe head rod to its previous position as soonas the train had trailed would obtain if the head rod 3 wereshifted through. A similar olperation to the right.

The object of the webs or flanges 14: is to prevent the recess "20 in the lower member of the holder becoming uncovered when it moves out of register with'the recess 12 in the top member. By this arrangement dirt and foreign matter are very largely prevented from gaining access to the spring chamber so that the spring itself is protected from the deteriorating efl'ects of the weather. Theengagement of the faces 22 and 23 on the holder members will serve to positively limit the extreme "relative movement .in either direction of the holder members.

This invention is not intended to be restricted in scope to the specific embodiment shown, but contemplates such modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the claims.

'Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby'Let- -ters Patent, is

1. In a split switch head rod, a spring 7 holder connected to the rod a coiledsprmg mounted under compression in saidholder with the upper longitudinal half thereof exposed, a cover shdab ly mounted on the holder andhavingseats which engage .both

ezgposedien'ds of saidspnings andmeans to connect .said cover to the switch .operating mechanism.

'2.-.I1he:-c0mbination with ,a splitiswitch head we and its throw :rod, a

connection for said rods, comprising two recessed spring houslng members, means to hold said members assembled free for relative sliding movements, a spring in the re members and adapted to resist relative sliding movements between them in either direction, said housing members forming a chamber in which the spring is protected from the weather. v

4. Aspring connection for the head rods 'of split switches, .comprising one member adapted to be connected to the head rod, another member adapted to be connected to the switch throw rod, a spr ng housing formed in part by each of said superimposed members, meansrto hold said superimposed members in sliding engagement, and a coil spring in said housingdisposed to resist relative movements in either direction between said housing members.

5. The combination with a split swltch "head rod andits throw rod, of aspring connection between said rods comprising two castings, each having a longitudinal part sofa common spring chamber formed therein and end extensionslbeyond the chambered :portion of the uppercastingacoiled spring in said chamber, lengthwise guides which slidably connect said castings for .endwise movements, said spring being disposed to resist said sliding movements, and means to connect one casting to the throw .rod and the other tothe head rod.

6. A spring head rod for split switches comprising one member connected to the switch, another member connected to the switch operating mechanism, said members being superimposed and recessed to ointly form a spring housing, said members having end extensions, a pipesleeve which receives and ,guidestheextensions at the-cor- .respondingflends of the members, means to secureseach sleeve to one member only, -leav mg the other member free to [slide therein,

and a coil spring in said housing adapted .to resist .said sliding movements of the .members. I

:7. A spring head rod-for, splitgswi-tchesone-,inem-ber connected ;:to the 7 switch, :another ;.1I;1$1I)3b81' connected to the switch :operating mechanism,- said members I ;heing supB mPQS-Q a d :recessed to jointly dom neering housing, id :n1emlrer :h w-

ing end extensions, a pipe sleeve which receives and guides the extensions at the corresponding ends of the members, means to secure each sleeve to one member only, leaving the other member free to slide therein, a coil spring in said housing adapted to resist said sliding movements of the members, and stop lugs on the member connected to the switch operating mechanism adapted to limit said sliding movements.

8. The combination with a split switch head rod, of a spring housing member having a lateral flange bolted to the head rod, a second spring housing member superimposed on said flanged member and having tive lengthwise movements of said members,

and protecting flanges on the upper member adapted to cover the spring chamber in all relative positions of said members.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROBERT E. YOLTON.

. Witness NOMIE WELSH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. O. 

